There comes a time in everyone’s life where they feel knocked down and their self-confidence disappears. It becomes difficult to go through your daily routine and it often affects both your personal and professional life. It does not stop here but low self-confidence can lead to stress which will in turn lead to other physical and mental issues.

You can easily differentiate between a confident and a under confident person by the way they speak, their body posture and energy levels. Confident people give a warm and high energy that makes other people feel comfortable in their presence. Being confident is when you trust your decisions, believe in your abilities, and are aware of your limitations.

Yoga is the answer to improving your self-confidence. Practicing yoga, can increase your self-esteem and self-confidence. It sends a positive message to your heart and mind which means you care about yourself. By building the physical strength and moving up to more challenging poses, you feel stronger on the inside.

The following yoga poses are helpful in boosting self-confidence:

1. Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana)

This pose helps in stretching your spine and tones your back and core muscles. It also helps in toning your buttocks, upper and inner thighs. Apart from these benefits, it also helps in improving digestion and relieves stress. Ardha Chandrasana teaches about the importance of the journey about self-awareness and self-acceptance rather than achieving the perfect pose.

Steps to perform the asana:

• Stand on the mat and bring your feet together. 
• Raise your hands above your head and try to extend the stretch. 
• Exhale and bend sideways from your hips by keeping your hands together.
• Keep your elbows straight and do not bend forward. 
• Hold this pose for a few seconds, inhale and come back to the standing position.
• Repeat this pose with the other side. 

2. Standing Forward Bend Pose (Uttanasana)

Uttanasana is an important yoga pose that has many therapeutic advantages. It helps in the flow of fresh oxygen-rich blood to your brain.

Steps to perform the asana:

• Your feet should be together while standing. Bend your knees slightly. Now, fold the torso over your legs, moving from the hips, not the lower back.
• Your hands should be next to your feet or on the ground in front of you.
• Inhale and extend your chest to stretch your spine. 
• Exhale and gently press both legs. Keep your legs straight. 
• When you exhale, extend your torso down without rounding your back. Draw your shoulders down your back.

A flexible body reduces the chances of physical injuries by developing strength so that you are able to take more stress on your body without harming it. Stretching releases stiffness and tension which build up in your joints and make your body more flexible.

3. Cobra Pose Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana has many benefits like strengthening the lower back, increasing its flexibility, massage of the digestive organs and relief in menstrual pain. It is helpful in relieving stiffness from your neck and shoulders.

Steps to perform the asana:

• You have to lie down on your belly and your chin should touch the ground. 
• Keep your hands close, your palms should touch the ground and your legs should be kept straight. 
• Inhale followed by straightening your arms and lifting your chest and upper back. 
• Hold this position for some time and release.

4. Chair Pose (Utkatasana)

Utkatasana is also called the ‘Chair pose’. Every part of the body is involved in this asana which makes it very powerful.

Steps to perform the asana:

• Stand straight and keep your arms at your side.
• Keep some distance between your feet.
• Stretch your hands forward so that they are parallel to the ground. 
• Bend your knees and bring your pelvis down like you sit on a chair.
• Bring your thighs parallel to the ground.
• Hold this position for one minute and keep breathing normally. 
• Now release your pose and repeat it for 3-4 times.

5. Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

Vrksasana is also called the ‘Tree pose’. It strengthens the spine and improves poise and balance. It will help in your neuromuscular coordination and aligns the body. With practice, your flexibility and immunity are improved. It strengthens the spine and improves the balance of your body. It also tones your leg muscles and makes your knees stronger and hip joints are flexed.

Steps to perform the asana:

• Stand straight and make sure you keep some distance between your feet.
• While you exhale, bend the right leg and bring the foot on the inside of the left thigh.
• Inhale and extend the arms upwards and join your palms. 
• Continue deep breathing in this position.
• Stay in this position as long as you can focus. 
• Slowly exhale and bring your arms down and bring the right foot down.
• Repeat the same with the other foot.

6. Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

This asana is the base for various asanas, therefore, it is important to get the pose right. It works on your muscles by correcting your posture and makes your body more flexible. It helps in aligning your skeleton and improves your nervous, digestive and respiratory systems by strengthening your immunity.

Steps to perform the asana:

• Keep some distance between your feet while you stand straight.
• While you inhale deeply, raise your arms upwards and interlock your fingers.
• Raise your heels and stand on your toes. You will feel the stretch in your body. 
• Hold this position and breathe for a few seconds.
• While you exhale, release your pose to come to the starting position.
• Repeat the same for 10 times.